For two weeks this summer, Ubisoft will invite select PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gamers to a virtual tropical island to choose one of six character classes to shoot each other with in the Far Cry 3 multiplayer beta test. How to be involved? Let me count the ways.

1. Buy Ghost Recon: Future Soldier next week. Specifically, buy Ghost Recon: Future Soldier from GameStop and be a member of their PowerUp Rewards program. You'll be given a code that can be entered at a special website, which will lead directly to Ubisoft mailing you a code for the beta proper once it's about ready to go live.

2. Like the Far Cry 3 closed multiplayer beta Facebook page. You'll be entered for a chance to win access to the beta. What a wondrous way to use the world's largest social network!

3. Keep an eye on Ubisoft social channels. That means the Far Cry 3 website, Twitter, Facebook, and people just standing around outside Ubisoft Montreal, shouting out codes.

4. Sleep with someone at Ubisoft. I have several recommendations.

Other than that, just hunt around for an invitation. You know how these things go. At first it's closed, and then suddenly VideoGameBunny.com winds up with 20,000 keys just sitting around.